Barbering Courses
How to Find the Best One Near Middleborough Massachusetts
Now that you have decided to become a barber, you must find the right barber college near Middleborough MA to get your training. Since barbers are licensed in all states, the college you select should prepare you to pass the licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. You might be somewhat confused when beginning your search for barbering classes as to the difference between cosmetology and beauty schools, since both provide barber training. Well don't be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both pertain to the same kind of school. We'll discuss a bit more regarding that in the next section. If you intend on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your home. An additional consideration when examining possible barbering schools is the cost of tuition. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it's not necessarily the best choice. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask regarding the barber colleges you are thinking about later within this article. Before we do, let's discuss a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.
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Barbering and Cosmetology
Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that a number of cosmetology schools are regarded as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but basically a cosmetic may be almost anything that improves the appearance of a person's skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a barber, most states require that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Middleborough MA barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many barbers, after they have gained experience and a client base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing customers either in their own residences or will travel to the client's home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and work in a wide range of specializations including:
• Hairstylists
• Beauticians
• Barbers
• Manicurists
• Nail Technicians
• Makeup Artists
• Hair Coloring Specialists
• Estheticians
• Electrolysis Technicians
As earlier mentioned, in all states practicing barbers have to be licensed. In a few states there is an exception for cosmetologists in general. Only those performing more skilled services, for example barbers or hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Other people working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to get licensed in those states.
Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Middleborough MA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous Middleborough MA employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Middleborough MA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Middleborough MA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Middleborough MA barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Middleborough MA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Middleborough MA.
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Choose the Best Middleborough Barber College
Locating and enrolling in the right barber training program is important to obtain the necessary training to become a licensed practitioner. Be sure to ask all the questions that you require in order to feel positive about your decision. Make sure to organize all of the responses you get from the barber school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then utilize that data to contrast schools. A reasonable start in your due diligence process is to make sure that the institution and program you choose are accredited and have excellent reputations within the profession. If you start with that base, and answer the additional questions supplied in this article, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the proper choice. Once you graduate and pass your licensing exam, you will be confident that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional barber in Middleborough Massachusetts.